GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a type of digestive disorder in which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is affected. LES is the ring muscle that is situated between the esophagus and the stomach. Common causes and symptoms of GERD Causes The causes of GERD is complex, and the symptoms of GERD might vary from person to person. Common causes and symptoms of GERD might be different for the same individual at different times. A small number of GERD produces a large amount of acid. Some of the common causes of GERD include lower esophageal sphincter abnormalities; many doctors believe that hiatal hernia causes GERD, a low metabolism which causes slower or prolonged digestion of food in the stomach. Lower esophageal sphincter or LES plays an important role in preventing reflux action. As mentioned above, LES is a specialized ring of muscle surrounding the lower-most end of the esophagus, joining the stomach. The closing of the passage prevents reflux when food or saliva is being swallowed. The LES sphincter relaxes for a couple of seconds, allowing food to pass from the esophagus to the stomach, and then it closes again. There are several abnormalities found in the LES, which might lead to GERD.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) causes a blood clot in your legs, affecting the deep vein. A blood clot in a blood vessel, also known as thrombosis, earns the condition its name. The condition most commonly results in pain, swelling, and redness of the veins. Deep vein thrombosis can also lead to pulmonary embolism, which is a complication that can be life threatening, caused due to the blood clot. There are a number of risk factors associated with the condition, making it all the more important for people to understand techniques that can result in effective DVT prevention. Risk factors are divided into categories that include acquired, inherited, and a mix of both at times. Acquired risk factors Common risk factors for DVT include old age, complications due to surgery, certain types of cancers, lack of exercise, postpartum phase after pregnancy, and leg injury. Furthermore, side effects of oral contraceptives, and inflammatory diseases can result in DVT. Inherited factors Common genetic deficiencies that include the lack of antithrombin, protein C, and protein S can lead to a complication that results in DVT. Mixed risk factors Health complications that arise due to low free protein S, Protein C resistance, hyperhomocysteinemia, high levels of fibrinogen among others can result in deep vein thrombosis.

It is common knowledge that with age, the process of degeneration sets in. Not only does the individual experience a descent in his physical abilities, but one’s mental abilities have to bear the brunt of the aging process. The physical decline manifests itself in the form of degenerative autoimmune disorders, whereas, our mental health suffers from the likes of Alzheimer’s, Dementia or Depression in certain cases. What begins as absent-mindedness or forgetfulness, becomes a full-fledged disorder in no time. One such disorder that is common among the elderly population and sadly cannot be cured completely is dementia. Causes of dementia There are a plethora of causes of dementia, but one cannot overlook the fact that dementia is a collateral damage of several age-related diseases. In certain cases, damage to the brain due to an accident can cause dementia among the younger lot as well. The primary causes of dementia are as follows- One of the most common causes of dementia is a severe injury to the head which can result in the loss of consciousness. Parkinson’s disease is one of the age-related diseases which causes dementia. At times, tumors or stroke can also lead to a condition called vascular dementia; the condition is majorly irreversible.

Being a teen today is not a cakewalk. There is so much happening around you, and your life is in constant chaos. As a teen, you need to deal with parents, teachers, peers, and the society. Adolescence is a crucial time of every person’s life, but with that said, it is also a tricky phase. At this stage of your life, you see a lot of physical, emotional, and social changes happening in your life and around you and it will eventually get overwhelming and draining. Parents with teen kids need to keep in mind that their kids need guidance now more than ever to comprehend what is happening in their life and to make sense of it. How to identify whether your teen is depressed or is just being a teen? Depression in teens has become a serious concern today. One in five teenagers today is likely to suffer from depression. Unfortunately, it is not easy to detect depression in teens. This is mainly because parents take their teen kid’s mood swings lightly because they think that it is them just being a teen. Also, teens are not really vocal with their folks when it comes to talking about their feelings and what is happening in their life.

Kidney cancer, or renal cell adenocarcinoma, originates in the lining of the tubules of the kidney. The American Cancer Society estimates that roughly 63,340 new cases of kidney cancer will be reported this year, causing just under 15,000 U.S. renal cancer-related deaths. Even though, life expectancy following a kidney cancer diagnosis is quite good, for instance, the 5-year survival rate for patients with stage 1 renal cancer is approximately 81%, chances of survival are best if the cancer is detected in its earliest stages. That means being aware of the risk factors that contribute to renal cancer development are wise for individuals are prone to this type of cancer, due to the following causes and risk factors: 1. Family history Patients with a family history of kidney cancer have a increased chance of inheriting the disease if a parent or sibling has already been diagnosed with renal cancer. Medical experts believe that family history of certain types of cancer are caused either by environmental exposure, shared genes, or sadly both. 2. Toxic substances Certain environmental exposures may contribute to the development of kidney cancer in your home or in your workplace. For instance, scientists point to exposure to a certain toxic metal, known as cadmium, as a risk for increased renal cell cancer development.

Blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when blood pushes forcefully against the walls of the blood vessels as they transport blood throughout the entire body. Your doctor monitors you blood pressure by taking a systolic and diastolic reading. Patients are considered at risk if the systolic and diastolic ranges are above the normal 120/80 range. Hypertension can become dangerous to health when these readings are too high and place stress on the heart to pump blood. For instance, elevated blood pressures range from 120 to 129/lower than 80, while patients with stage 1 (130 to 139/80 to 89) and stage 2 (140+/90+) hypertension are considered in a dangerous range. Patients in what’s known as “hypertension crisis” have blood pressure readings 180+/120+ and should see a medical expert immediately. The major contributors (or causes) behind hypertension are as follows: Sedentary lifestyle Excess weight or obesity Excess salty or alcoholic diet Too much stress Family history of hypertension or kidney disease Sleep apnea Thyroid and/or adrenal diseases Smoking If left untreated, long-term high blood pressure can lead to kidney disease, atherosclerosis (hardened arteries), heart attack, heart failure, and stroke, and impair health in the following ways: 1. Osteoporosis High blood pressure can have a lasting effect on bone health.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you’ve no doubt heard about a friend, coworker, or family member going on the keto diet. The ketogenic, or simply keto, diet is now being accommodated by restaurants, cook books, and touted by every celebrity from Megan Fox to Halle Berry. This low to zero carbohydrate diet puts the body in ketosis, a process that prompts the body to torch fat vs. carbs by sticking to a diet rich in meat, fish, cheese, eggs, poultry, dairy, and fats while avoiding any high carb foods, like legumes, breads, pasta, potatoes, carrots, and of course, any foods with added sugar. The ideal keto diet consists of only 5% carbohydrates, 20% protein, and 75% fats. However, while keto may result in some weight lost, there are well known pros and cons behind any diet, as any health care provider will tell you. So before you go keto, consider both the negatives and benefits: 1. Aids epilepsy The keto diet didn’t spring out of nowhere. In fact, it’s been long recommended to epileptic patients to reduce seizures. In fact, doctors at New York’s Stony Brook University, also recommend keto for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (to improve hormonal regulation) and for patients with diabetes (to manage blood sugar levels).

The vast majority of human beings spend roughly one third of our time sleeping. So it may surprise you to learn that 164 million Americans (that’s 68%) admit they struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, according to a recent Consumer Reports survey. Most of us wouldn’t imagine taking on a new hobby, like yoga or skiing, without investing in the right clothing and equipment, correct? So why do so many of us continue to sleep on uncomfortable mattresses that cause us neck and low back pain? Don’t ignore the importance and investment of a comfortable mattresses for the following reasons: 1. You take electronics to bed Do you work on your laptop in bed? Do you surf the web on your smartphone or watch TV before you fall asleep? Chances are this is what’s keeping you up at night and causing you disturbed sleep. In fact, physicians from the EOS Sleep Centers, in California, say that excess blue-green light emitted from screens (i.e., smartphones, tablets, televisions, and laptops) actually mess with our natural melatonin production and inhibit the release of melatonin, our sleepy-time hormones. So try to cut screen time 2-hours prior to bed for a better night’s sleep.

According to statistics from the American Hair Loss Association, roughly 30 million women and more than 50 million men experience thinning hair and hair loss. The most common form of hair loss, androgenetic alopecia (or more commonly, male pattern baldness) makes up 95% of hair loss in males, which typically occurs between the ages of 21-50-years old. Hair loss occurs for several reasons, mainly due to a combination of genetics and age. However, just because thinning hair and hair loss is part of the natural aging and genetic doesn’t mean you have to comb over the issue. Here are a few proven and effective treatments to combat hair loss: 1. Dietary changes Consuming a nutrient-rich diet may help reverse the early signs of thinning hair. For instance, diets rich in protein may help boost hair strength. Plus, diets that feature vitamin B12, zinc, and iron found in foods like nuts, beans, leafy greens, lean meats and fish may help slow hair loss and trigger hair rejuvenation. 2. Laser hair treatments Laser hair treatments aim to restore hair density with a series of treatments that low inflammation within the hair follicles, which apparently is what impedes hair growth. Laser hair loss treatment are conducted using a device (i.e., at home hand held, head cap, or salon hoods) that emit a low level laser that penetrates the scalp to promote hair growth.

As humans, we spend roughly one third of our lives on earth sleeping. This should indicate that your mattress is about the most important piece of furniture in your home. However, according to research from Consumer Reports, 68% of Americans say they have difficulties getting a restful night of shut eye. Why do you think that is? Research form the Sleep to Live Institute point out that many aspects of a mattress can impede a healthy night’s sleep. Aside from lumps, thin areas, and springs digging into your back while you snooze, sleeping well mostly comes down to being comfortable. For instance, the National Sleep Institute says that while back sleepers can sleep on just about any mattress, stomach sleepers require a mattress soft enough to lessen pressure on the back ribs while remaining rigid enough to keep the spine healthily aligned. Finally, most side sleepers snooze best on medium or soft mattresses. So maybe it’s time to purchase a new mattress. But before you buy the first mattress you see from some pushy salespeople, consider the following most common mattresses for your slumber needs: 1. Pillow-top mattresses Pillow-top mattresses offer an additional layer of padding in an extra layer of soft padding.